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City of Kingston Live Well Commission (2019) Print
2019 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
The City of Kingston installed two chess tables with seating at its waterfront T.R. Gallo Wes Strand Park. Dubbed a chess playground, the facilities are meant to allow people of all generations to play chess or checkers. In addition to tables and benches, the City added an accessible, concrete sidewalk and improved landscaping onsite. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new tables gave residents a safe, outdoor space to gather.
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Salmon, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The city will improve safety and accessibility by resurfacing worn-out pickleball courts with new concrete or asphalt. The courts are particularly popular with older adults residents.
Lexington, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To give residents a comfortable space to hold a conversation, the Lexington Senior Center installed new accessible benches and raised planters in Idle Hour Park. Guided by a physical therapy student's research, which showed many people are uncomfortable twisting to converse with someone seated beside them, the benches sit in a U shape. This placement allows people to choose whether to sit next to or across from one another. Each seating area also includes extra space for a wheelchair user to join in.
Chiloquin, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The project will transform a gravel lot into a park with accessible features, including non-slip concrete surfaces and ADA-compliant seating areas, to allow older adults to relax and socialize.
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Woodstock, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: This project will conduct five walk audits at critical intersections and sites of high commercial activity to identify safety concerns and solutions. Two community meetings will be staged to discuss the results.
Dutchess County, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Health and Economic Empowerment
Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults faced social isolation. To address this, the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region enlisted local young people to write cards to homebound community members. The organization hosted several virtual letter writing parties. During the online gatherings, project organizers gave the letter writers tips for how to engage with older adults in daily life, such as how to check-in on a neighbor, help deliver groceries or offer to shovel snow. Volunteers then delivered the cards along with care packages containing essential items, such as hygiene kits and food. Even as the pandemic lifted, the United way has continued to host its letter writing parties with the goal of fostering intergenerational relationships and social connectedness.
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